Teacher backs actions by ABSS board members

Published: Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 07:05 PM.

I am a teacher in the Alamance Burlington School System. I have been for a few years now. The editorials and opinion pieces that I have read here in the Times News are surprising, and disappointing. Obviously the resignation of Dr. Cox has come as a surprise to our community. And people are anxious to share their opinions about it. However much of what I read seems steeped in misleading information and incredibly is one-sided.

On that note, I am not writing today to condemn or promote Dr. Cox on any level. To me, that is not truly the issue at hand. I am writing today to say that — as a teacher — I do support our school board members. And I respect the decision that they made. I don’t know the reasons behind it. But I do know that demanding an explanation from those who are, by law, unable to give one gets us nowhere. The only person who is able to speak about the departure is Dr. Cox herself. I also know that questioning the terms of her resignation — the infamous $200,000, for example — also gets us nowhere. She will receive nothing more than what was promised in her contract.

Anyone who knows me would recognize that I am not one to blindly follow. But in this matter I put my trust into those who I elected to represent me. I, like so many others in the county, am not privy to the details. So I will support those who I share a common philosophy with, and I do believe that they have made a difficult decision based on valid reasoning. It is beyond a doubt that if members who are being called out, such as Mr. Tony Rose and Ms. Patsy Simpson, could speak to the matter they would.

One of the most difficult lessons that we teach our students can be summed up in a quote, or saying, that is often credited to Einstein: “What is right is not always popular, and what is popular is not always right.” I not only stand by our school board, I applaud those who have stood up for what they believe is right. I appreciate the struggle that this must be for all involved. And, again, as a teacher, hope that all members of our board can move forward and do what is in the best interest of our students and staff.

NAOMI BEANBurlington

Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published
without permission. Links are encouraged.

I am a teacher in the Alamance Burlington School System. I have been for a few years now. The editorials and opinion pieces that I have read here in the Times News are surprising, and disappointing. Obviously the resignation of Dr. Cox has come as a surprise to our community. And people are anxious to share their opinions about it. However much of what I read seems steeped in misleading information and incredibly is one-sided.

On that note, I am not writing today to condemn or promote Dr. Cox on any level. To me, that is not truly the issue at hand. I am writing today to say that — as a teacher — I do support our school board members. And I respect the decision that they made. I don’t know the reasons behind it. But I do know that demanding an explanation from those who are, by law, unable to give one gets us nowhere. The only person who is able to speak about the departure is Dr. Cox herself. I also know that questioning the terms of her resignation — the infamous $200,000, for example — also gets us nowhere. She will receive nothing more than what was promised in her contract.

Anyone who knows me would recognize that I am not one to blindly follow. But in this matter I put my trust into those who I elected to represent me. I, like so many others in the county, am not privy to the details. So I will support those who I share a common philosophy with, and I do believe that they have made a difficult decision based on valid reasoning. It is beyond a doubt that if members who are being called out, such as Mr. Tony Rose and Ms. Patsy Simpson, could speak to the matter they would.

One of the most difficult lessons that we teach our students can be summed up in a quote, or saying, that is often credited to Einstein: “What is right is not always popular, and what is popular is not always right.” I not only stand by our school board, I applaud those who have stood up for what they believe is right. I appreciate the struggle that this must be for all involved. And, again, as a teacher, hope that all members of our board can move forward and do what is in the best interest of our students and staff.